White House Gives the OK to Online Poker

A representative for the Obama administration, Brian Deese, Deputy Director of the National Economic Council, issued a statement that addresses the recently circulated online petition that called for the legalization and regulation of online poker. The petition received 10,000 electronic signatures.

The gist of the statement was that it should be left up to state governments to decide if they want to pass online casino games legislation and allow poker to be played at the best online casinos in their jurisdiction.

The statement read, “The Administration understands that many Americans engage in paid online poker games for entertainment purposes. Online gambling on sporting events or contests violates federal law. The legality of other forms of online gambling is dependent upon the law of the states where the bettor or gambling business is located. It is left to each state to determine whether it wishes to permit such activity between its residents and an online poker business authorized by that state to accept such wagers, but online gambling that is not authorized by state law may also violate federal statutes.”

The Obama administration also expressed the need to create protections and place restrictions on casino games online websites so that minors do not become susceptible to fraud, telemarketing scams, and money laundering schemes.

The release concluded by stating that the administration will monitor the online casino games issue closely and are willing to entertain ideas that would help protect individuals from unwittingly partaking in any illegal activity regarding online casino games.